MLA Header Generator

The MLA header (also called a running header) appears in the top-right corner of every page of your paper. It contains your last name followed by the page number.

The running header helps readers identify your paper and locate specific pages. It is a standard requirement for all MLA-formatted documents.

• Last name — Your surname, as it appears on your paper
• Space — A single space between the name and number
• Page number — Arabic numeral starting at 1

Example: Smith 1, Smith 2, Smith 3

The running header appears 0.5 inches from the top edge of the page, aligned to the right margin. It uses the same 12pt Times New Roman font as the rest of the paper.

Notice that the header appears on every page, including page 1. In MLA 9, there is no special treatment for the first page header.

These are two different elements that students often confuse:

• Running header — Last name + page number in the top-right corner. Appears on every page.
• First-page heading — Name, instructor, course, and date. Appears only on page 1, left-aligned.

Use the Heading Generator for the first-page heading. Use this tool for the running header.

Page numbers in MLA are simple Arabic numerals — 1, 2, 3, and so on. They start at 1 on the first page. The number increments by one on each subsequent page.

Never use Roman numerals, letters, or other numbering systems for MLA page numbers.

For more details, see our MLA Page Numbers Guide.

1. Enter your last name in the field above.
2. Set the number of pages (1–50).
3. Click "Generate Headers" to see a preview of your running headers on each page.
4. Copy the header text, or click "Use in MLA Formatter" to transfer your last name to the full formatter.